Chapter 7: The Sister## Chapter 7: The Sister Who Came Back for My Inheritance
Who Came Back for My Inheritance
I stared at the photograph until the woman's face became a blur.
She had dark brown hair, greenI stared at the photograph until the woman's face became a blur.
She had dark brown hair, green eyes, and a small scar near her left eyebrow.
I didn't recognize her.
But there was something familiar about her smile.
Something eyes, and a small scar near her left eyebrow.
I didn't recognize her.
But there was something familiar about her smile.
Something about the shape of her face reminded me of the woman in the photographs my father kept in his bedroom.
My mother.
"Emily?"" Michael asked.
I about the shape of her face reminded me of the woman in the photographs my father kept in his bedroom.
My mother.
"Emily?"" Michael asked.
I handed him my phone.
He studied the photograph.
"Do you know who this is?""
I shook my head.
"Apparently, she's my sister.""
Rebecca handed him my phone.
He studied the photograph.
"Do you know who this is?""
I shook my head.
"Apparently, she's my sister.""
Rebecca stepped closer.
"Your uncle told you that?""
"Yes.""
"Did he explain who she is?""
"No. He said my stepped closer.
"Your uncle told you that?""
"Yes.""
"Did he explain who she is?""
"No. He said my mother had another child.""
David looked up from his tablet.
"That's interesting.""
I turned toward him.
"Interesting? My mother had another child.""
David looked up from his tablet.
"That's interesting.""
I turned toward him.
"Interesting? My entire family history just changed.""
He raised his hands apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I meant the timing. entire family history just changed.""
He raised his hands apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I meant the timing. Someone knew you were looking through the estate records and contacted you almost immediately.""
Michael examined the photograph again.
"That Someone knew you were looking through the estate records and contacted you almost immediately.""
Michael examined the photograph again.
"That means someone is watching this investigation.""
I looked toward the windows.
Outside, the parking lot was almost empty.
A woman stood means someone is watching this investigation.""
I looked toward the windows.
Outside, the parking lot was almost empty.
A woman stood near a silver sedan.
Dark hair.
Green eyes.
A small scar near her eyebrow.
My heart began pounding.
"That's near a silver sedan.
Dark hair.
Green eyes.
A small scar near her eyebrow.
My heart began pounding.
"That's her.""
Michael turned.
The woman didn't wave.
She simply stood there, watching us.
Then she opened the driver's door and got her.""
Michael turned.
The woman didn't wave.
She simply stood there, watching us.
Then she opened the driver's door and got inside.
"Don't let her leave," I said.
Michael immediately signaled to the security officer.
But before inside.
"Don't let her leave," I said.
Michael immediately signaled to the security officer.
But before anyone could move, my phone rang.
The same unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
"Emily?""
The woman's voice was calm.
"I'm standing outside your father's office.""
"I can see you.""
"Good anyone could move, my phone rang.
The same unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
"Emily?""
The woman's voice was calm.
"I'm standing outside your father's office.""
"I can see you.""
"Good. Then you know I'm real.""
"Who are you?""
She hesitated.
"My name is Olivia Hayes.""
I gr. Then you know I'm real.""
"Who are you?""
She hesitated.
"My name is Olivia Hayes.""
I gripped the phone.
"Hayes?""
"Yes.""
"Are you saying you're my sister?""
A quiet breath came through theipped the phone.
"Hayes?""
"Yes.""
"Are you saying you're my sister?""
A quiet breath came through the speaker.
"I'm saying our mother gave birth to me twelve years before she had you.""
I closed speaker.
"I'm saying our mother gave birth to me twelve years before she had you.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why have I never heard of you?""
"Because your father made sure you wouldn't.""
my eyes.
"Why have I never heard of you?""
"Because your father made sure you wouldn't.""
Michael stepped closer and motioned for me to put the call on speaker.
I did.
Olivia continued.
"Emily, I know this is difficult. But I didn't come here to hurt you.""
"Then why did you wait until now?""
"Michael stepped closer and motioned for me to put the call on speaker.
I did.
Olivia continued.
"Emily, I know this is difficult. But I didn't come here to hurt you.""
"Then why did you wait until now?""
"Because I only recently discovered you existed.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"My adoptive mother died last year. Before she passed, she gave me a box of documents. Inside was a photograph of our mother, a birth certificate, andBecause I only recently discovered you existed.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"My adoptive mother died last year. Before she passed, she gave me a box of documents. Inside was a photograph of our mother, a birth certificate, and a letter.""
I looked at the photograph on my phone.
"Why did you contact me today?""
"Because I a letter.""
I looked at the photograph on my phone.
"Why did you contact me today?""
"Because I recognized your name in a financial report.""
"What financial report?""
"The estate account your uncle has been trying to access recognized your name in a financial report.""
"What financial report?""
"The estate account your uncle has been trying to access.""
David immediately looked up.
Olivia continued.
"There's something you need to understand. Our grandmother left money for both of us. Not just one of us.""
My.""
David immediately looked up.
Olivia continued.
"There's something you need to understand. Our grandmother left money for both of us. Not just one of us.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"How much?""
"I don't know the exact amount. But the original fingers tightened around the phone.
"How much?""
"I don't know the exact amount. But the original trust was substantial.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Ms. Hayes, are you aware that the trust may have been improperly administered?""
"Yes.""
"How?""
" trust was substantial.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Ms. Hayes, are you aware that the trust may have been improperly administered?""
"Yes.""
"How?""
"Because the money was supposed to remain untouched until both beneficiaries reached adulthood. But someone started movingBecause the money was supposed to remain untouched until both beneficiaries reached adulthood. But someone started moving it years ago.""
David exchanged it years ago.""
David exchanged a glance with Michael.
I felt dizzy.
"Who?""
Olivia was quiet.
Then she said:
"Your uncle Daniel.""
I looked at David.
He nodded slightly.
That name again.
Olivia continued.
"He was appointed as a temporary administrator after our grandmother died. He was supposed to manage the account until the beneficiaries could claim their shares.""
"Why didn't he give you yours?""
"Because he claimed a glance with Michael.
I felt dizzy.
"Who?""
Olivia was quiet.
Then she said:
"Your uncle Daniel.""
I looked at David.
He nodded slightly.
That name again.
Olivia continued.
"He was appointed as a temporary administrator after our grandmother died. He was supposed to manage the account until the beneficiaries could claim their shares.""
"Why didn't he give you yours?""
"Because he claimed I had been adopted and was no longer entitled to anything.""
"That's ridiculous.""
"Exactly.""
I swallowed.
"How did Tyler get involved?""
Olivia's voice changed.
"That's the I had been adopted and was no longer entitled to anything.""
"That's ridiculous.""
"Exactly.""
I swallowed.
"How did Tyler get involved?""
Olivia's voice changed.
"That's the part you won't like.""
I waited.
"Daniel introduced Tyler to the trust administrator three years ago. Tyler was part you won't like.""
I waited.
"Daniel introduced Tyler to the trust administrator three years ago. Tyler was supposed to help recover money that had been moved through a series of business accounts.""
I stared at the old desk supposed to help recover money that had been moved through a series of business accounts.""
I stared at the old desk.
"So Tyler knew about the money before we got married?""
"Yes.""
My stomach twisted.
"Did he marry.
"So Tyler knew about the money before we got married?""
"Yes.""
My stomach twisted.
"Did he marry me because of it?""
There was a long silence.
Then Olivia said:
"I think that's what you need to find out.""
I ended the call.
Not me because of it?""
There was a long silence.
Then Olivia said:
"I think that's what you need to find out.""
I ended the call.
Not because I was angry.
Because I couldn't listen anymore.
Michael placed a hand on the back of my chair.
"Emily, we need to verify everything because I was angry.
Because I couldn't listen anymore.
Michael placed a hand on the back of my chair.
"Emily, we need to verify everything before drawing conclusions.""
I looked at him.
"How much more evidence do you need?""
He didn't answer.
before drawing conclusions.""
I looked at him.
"How much more evidence do you need?""
He didn't answer.
I turned toward David.
"Can we open the safe deposit box?""
"Not without the bank verifying your authority. But theI turned toward David.
"Can we open the safe deposit box?""
"Not without the bank verifying your authority. But the key and your father's letter should help establish a legitimate claim.""
"Then key and your father's letter should help establish a legitimate claim.""
"Then let's go.""
At First National Bank, the manager led us into a private office.
Her name was Patricia Lewis.
She examined let's go.""
At First National Bank, the manager led us into a private office.
Her name was Patricia Lewis.
She examined my identification, my father's letter, and the brass key.
Then she typed something into her computer.
Her expression changed.
"Mrs my identification, my father's letter, and the brass key.
Then she typed something into her computer.
Her expression changed.
"Mrs. Carter, this box has been under restricted access for several years.""
"Why?""
"Because the account is associated with an estate dispute.""
"Wh. Carter, this box has been under restricted access for several years.""
"Why?""
"Because the account is associated with an estate dispute.""
"Whose estate?""
She looked at the screen.
"Eleanor Hayes.""
"My grandmother.""
Patricia nodded.
"However, there are two listed beneficiaries.""
Sheose estate?""
She looked at the screen.
"Eleanor Hayes.""
"My grandmother.""
Patricia nodded.
"However, there are two listed beneficiaries.""
She printed a document.
I stared at the names.
*Emily Robert's Hayes.*
**Olivia Margaret printed a document.
I stared at the names.
*Emily Robert's Hayes.*
*Olivia Margaret Hayes.*
My hands began trembling.
My middle name was Margaret.
I'd never known why my father had chosen it.
Now I wondered Hayes.**
My hands began trembling.
My middle name was Margaret.
I'd never known why my father had chosen it.
Now I wondered whether it had been my mother's name.
Patricia continued.
"The box was sealed under instructions from the original trustee. Access requires whether it had been my mother's name.
Patricia continued.
"The box was sealed under instructions from the original trustee. Access requires confirmation from both beneficiaries or a court order.""
I looked at the key.
"Then why did my father leave this to me?""
Pat confirmation from both beneficiaries or a court order.""
I looked at the key.
"Then why did my father leave this to me?""
Patricia studied the letter.
"Perhaps he wanted you to know the box existed.""
I leaned forward.
"Can you tellricia studied the letter.
"Perhaps he wanted you to know the box existed.""
I leaned forward.
"Can you tell me who the original trustee was?""
She typed again.
Then she turned the monitor slightly.
me who the original trustee was?""
She typed again.
Then she turned the monitor slightly.
A name appeared.
*Daniel Hayes.*
My uncle.
I felt sick.
"Is he still listed as trustee?""
Patricia noddedA name appeared.
*Daniel Hayes.*
My uncle.
I felt sick.
"Is he still listed as trustee?""
Patricia nodded.
"According to our records, yes.""
Rebecca immediately spoke.
"That appointment may be legally disputed.
"According to our records, yes.""
Rebecca immediately spoke.
"That appointment may be legally disputed. We will be submitting a formal request to suspend access pending investigation.""
Patricia nodded.
"That's understandable.""
I stared at the screen.
"Has anyone accessed the box recently?""
. We will be submitting a formal request to suspend access pending investigation.""
Patricia nodded.
"That's understandable.""
I stared at the screen.
"Has anyone accessed the box recently?""
Patricia hesitated.
Then she clicked another tab.
"Yes.""
My heart stopped.
"When?""
"Yesterday afternoon.""
"Who?""
She printed the accessPatricia hesitated.
Then she clicked another tab.
"Yes.""
My heart stopped.
"When?""
"Yesterday afternoon.""
"Who?""
She printed the access record.
I looked at the signature.
It wasn't my father's.
It wasn't Daniel's.
It was Tyler's.
I felt the room close around me.
"How did my husband get into record.
I looked at the signature.
It wasn't my father's.
It wasn't Daniel's.
It was Tyler's.
I felt the room close around me.
"How did my husband get into my grandmother's safe deposit box?""
Patricia shook her head.
"He didn't access the box directly. He submitted a request to review the associated account records.""
"Under whose authority?""
She my grandmother's safe deposit box?""
Patricia shook her head.
"He didn't access the box directly. He submitted a request to review the associated account records.""
"Under whose authority?""
She pointed to the signature line.
"Your uncle's.""
I stared at the paper.
Tyler and Daniel had been working together.
Not just recently.
For years.
And now they knew pointed to the signature line.
"Your uncle's.""
I stared at the paper.
Tyler and Daniel had been working together.
Not just recently.
For years.
And now they knew I was looking.
We left the bank shortly after noon.
Michael arranged for a security officer to accompany me home.
Rebecca stayed behind with David to prepare the legal filings I was looking.
We left the bank shortly after noon.
Michael arranged for a security officer to accompany me home.
Rebecca stayed behind with David to prepare the legal filings.
I sat in the back seat beside Piper and Poppy.
My phone rang.
Rachel.
"Emily?""
"Yes.""
"Have you heard from Tyler?""
"No. Why?""
"He just showed up at my.
I sat in the back seat beside Piper and Poppy.
My phone rang.
Rachel.
"Emily?""
"Yes.""
"Have you heard from Tyler?""
"No. Why?""
"He just showed up at my apartment.""
I sat upright.
"Are you safe?""
"I locked the door. He hasn't come inside.""
"Call the police.""
"I did.""
"Good.""
Her voice trembled.
"Emily apartment.""
I sat upright.
"Are you safe?""
"I locked the door. He hasn't come inside.""
"Call the police.""
"I did.""
"Good.""
Her voice trembled.
"Emily, he was furious. He said you were trying to destroy him.""
I closed my eyes.
"What did he want?""
"He wanted Noah's birth certificate.""
"Why?""
"He said, he was furious. He said you were trying to destroy him.""
I closed my eyes.
"What did he want?""
"He wanted Noah's birth certificate.""
"Why?""
"He said he needed to prove he was the child's legal father before leaving the country.""
My blood ran cold.
"Leaving?""
" he needed to prove he was the child's legal father before leaving the country.""
My blood ran cold.
"Leaving?""
"That's what he said.""
I looked at Michael.
He turned toward me.
"What happened?""
I covered the phone.
"Tyler may be planning to leave the country.""
Michael immediatelyThat's what he said.""
I looked at Michael.
He turned toward me.
"What happened?""
I covered the phone.
"Tyler may be planning to leave the country.""
Michael immediately took out his phone.
Rachel whispered:
"There's something else. He said Daniel was waiting for him.""
I froze.
"Where?""
took out his phone.
Rachel whispered:
"There's something else. He said Daniel was waiting for him.""
I froze.
"Where?""
"I don't know. But he mentioned a place in Key Biscayne.""
Michael was"I don't know. But he mentioned a place in Key Biscayne.""
Michael was already speaking into his phone.
"Rebecca, we have a possible flight risk. Tyler may be coordinating with Daniel Hayes.""
I turned back to Rachel.
" already speaking into his phone.
"Rebecca, we have a possible flight risk. Tyler may be coordinating with Daniel Hayes.""
I turned back to Rachel.
"Listen to me. Don't leave your apartment. Don't sign anything. Don't give him Noah's documents.""
"I won't.""
Then she said something else.
"Emily?""
"Yes?""
"I think Tyler knowsListen to me. Don't leave your apartment. Don't sign anything. Don't give him Noah's documents.""
"I won't.""
Then she said something else.
"Emily?""
"Yes?""
"I think Tyler knows about Olivia.""
My throat tightened.
"How?""
"Because when I asked him why he was leaving about Olivia.""
My throat tightened.
"How?""
"Because when I asked him why he was leaving, he said the inheritance was supposed to be his.""
I stared at the twins.
The inheritance.
My mother's money, he said the inheritance was supposed to be his.""
I stared at the twins.
The inheritance.
My mother's money.
My grandmother's trust.
And the two men who had spent years trying to get their hands on it.
Rachel whispered:
"Emily, Tyler said something before he left.""
"What?""
"He said, 'If Olivia talks.
My grandmother's trust.
And the two men who had spent years trying to get their hands on it.
Rachel whispered:
"Emily, Tyler said something before he left.""
"What?""
"He said, 'If Olivia talks, Emily will never forgive her father.''"
I stopped breathing.
Because whatever my father had hidden, it wasn't simply about money.
It was about something he, Emily will never forgive her father.''"
I stopped breathing.
Because whatever my father had hidden, it wasn't simply about money.
It was about something he had done.
Something that had followed him to his grave.
And suddenly, I wasn't sure whether the letter he'd left me was a warning about had done.
Something that had followed him to his grave.
May you like
And suddenly, I wasn't sure whether the letter he'd left me was a warning about Tyler.
Or an apology for something far worse.
